Back-Up Camera Routing?

[B3 Brown]

Hello:



Looking for experiences from those who have run wiring from the license plate area to their radio head unit (mine is an aftermarket GPS) for back-up camera on a 2nd Generation (2007+) Sport Trac.



I am primarily looking for an existing opening near the front passenger footwell or elsewhere that might be an entry point?



Thanks in advance,



B3

 

[Bill Koonce]

The big question is to drill or not to drill.



If you're willing to drill a hole in the cab, then look for a place with no air bags or other wiring. Use a couple of coats of anti-rust paint on the exposed metal, and let it dry thoroughly before running the wiring. For a weatherproof seal, you can go as elaborate as mounting bulkhead fittings, to using a nice blob of silicone sealant. I prefer to use a short length of a soda straw, run the wiring through it, then inject silicone aquarium sealer into the straw. I let that cure for a day or two before installing, and then use the same aquarium sealer to secure and seal the straw to a rubber grommet that gets installed in the hole to protect the anti-rust paint and prevent cable fraying.



Because you're running the camera signal to the radio head end, you might as well run the camera cable along the frame, in a protected area, and run it through the firewall where the AM/FM antenna cable goes through. If id doubt, use corrugated plastic conduit to protect the delicate coaxial camera cable, while it's exposed to the elements.

 

[scott degroot]

Just follow the wiring harness from the license plate light forward to where it goes into the cab....instant entry point.

 

[B3 Brown]

Thanks for the replies!



I don't have my camera or nav yet (should arrive early next week)



I got under the truck today and it seems that license plate wiring runs up the passenger side atop the box rail, can anyone confirm? From here, the wires enter under the front passenger seat through a rubber donut. I could enter here, but I have another idea?



Has anyone entered through the existing opening for the Sirius Sat cable? It seems to run down from the roof, through passenger A pillar and then through the aforementioned hole in the passenger footwell, fore of the door.



Really don't wat to drill the truck. If I go through the Sirius opening in footwell (coming from underneath the truck of course) I will need to remove and/or loosen the wheel liner, any tips on that? Don't want to damage anything, truck only has 5,000 miles on it.



Thanks again, B3

 

[Robert Caffyn]

Can you say "professional installation"? You're going in the right direction, seriously consider an already existing hole/grommet. Come from underneath. There is one or two of these done in the project section, check there. Bob

 

[A1cntrler]

I mounted my rear view camera on the hitch receiver. Is in a good place most of the time except for the occasional time when I tow something, but it sure makes it hella easy to hook up to the trailer lol. If I had to do it again, I would likely put it on the roof near the high mount brake light which is where I have my XM antenna placed. There is a notch in the housing at the top already I think. I ran the wire through that notch, and the around the outside of the seal to the bottom on the light housing before bringing it into the cab through the brake light hole. From there it goes to my XM tuner, which is behind the backseat anyways.



As for the rear view camera wires, I ran those into the cab inside of the box behind the drivers side backseat. There was already a rubber grommet there, so I ran it in along with the 4ga amp power wire. I did have to poke a hole in the grommet for it tho, but once the wire iis passed, a dab of silicone sealed it back up nice.

 

[Aaron Yarbough]

As for the rear view camera wires, I ran those into the cab inside of the box behind the drivers side backseat. There was already a rubber grommet there....

This is how I ran the wires for my rear view camera.

 

[David Roll]

As for the rear view camera wires, I ran those into the cab inside of the box behind the drivers side backseat. There was already a rubber grommet there....

I have used that same entry point for many projects. It is very convenient.

 

[Sal Adinolfi]

I also ran mine through an Existing Grommet.

it was behind the back seat.

Good luck.. it is fun running everything and making it look like it belonged there in the first place..



I am not being Sarcastic.. I like doing this kind of thing. And I do think it is fun..

Take lots of pictures when taking things apart. so you have something to reference when it dont go back the same way.. And so you can show everyone..



The back up camera is well worth the effort..